THE IMPACT OF CLASSIFICATION EFFICIENCY ON COMMINUTION AND FLOTATION CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE

J J FRAUSTO, G R BALLANTYNE, K RUNGE, M S POWELL AND R CRUZ

MetPlant 2017 - Metallurgical Plant Design and Operating Strategies – World’s Best Practice, 11–12 September 2017, Perth, Australia

ABSTRACT

Hydrocyclones are the most widely used device for classification in a grinding circuit. However, even the most efficient hydrocyclone has a bypass of fines from the feed to the underflow which reduces comminution circuit performance, as well as misclassification around the cut point. 

Fine screens classify only according to the particle size, allowing for a reduction in the recirculation of fines back to the mill. The development of high capacity multi-screens makes fine classification in a grinding circuit a viable option.

Minera Saucito recently substituted hydrocyclones with screens in its grinding circuit. The change of classifier resulted in an increase in throughput and lead recovery but a decrease in silver recovery.

This case study presents the changes in comminution and flotation performance that occurred after the installation of screens and uses historical operational data collected over 12 months of operation to investigate the reasons for these observed changes.

AUTHOR DETAILS

J J Frausto (1), G R Ballantyne (2), K Runge (3), M S Powell (4), R Cruz (5)

(1)  Julius Kruttshcnitt Mineral Research Centre, SMI, University of Queensland,

40 Isles Rd, Brisbane Qld 4068. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(2) GAusIMM, Julius Kruttshcnitt Mineral Research Centre, SMI, University of

Queensland, 40 Isles Rd, Brisbane Qld 4068.

(3) Julius Kruttshcnitt Mineral Research Centre, SMI, University of Queensland,

40 Isles Rd, Brisbane Qld 4068.

(4) FAusIMM, Julius Kruttshcnitt Mineral Research Centre, SMI, University of

Queensland, 40 Isles Rd, Brisbane Qld 4068.

(5) Superintendent, Minera Saucito, S.A. de C.V., Domicilio conocido Carretera

Fresnillo-Valdecanas, Fresnillo 99150 Zacatecas, Mexico.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CEEC acknowledges and thanks the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and MetPlant convenors and organising committee for organising the MetPlant 2017 Conference.

Abstracts can be found at the AusIMM MetPlant conference website (http://www.metplant.ausimm.com.au/abstract_list)

Full papers published in the Conference Proceedings can be purchased from the AusIMM website http://www.ausimm.com.au/productcatalog/search.aspx